About 35 years ago, (it could be longer but it’s hard to remember what I did yesterday, so going back 35+ years and being exact would be a flipping miracle!)
I was a young scallywag, dossing about with the other kids from my estate.
We caused mischief wherever we went, we didn’t care we were just bored!
As we ventured onto a neighbouring estate, somebody noticed that Hamilton hall community church was having a jumble sale.
There was an entrance fee, but we weren’t keen on paying, so one of the lads suggested we break in through the toilet window. This we managed to do without getting caught, which was a relief.
If I’d got taken home by the police today, my mum would’ve leathered me!
Not being brought home by the police was a requirement of me being allowed to play out with my mates.
We never set out to break into empty buildings, make fires or play chicken with cars on the main roads. We were just bored kids with nothing to do and we just happened to be from Cheetham hill which was a rough estate in a city affectionately known by the authorities as
Gunchester!
Anyway we went inside and it was here that I found the book that would literally change my life;
The Paul Daniels magic book!
I’d seen Paul Daniels on TV most weekends and I remember the feelings of amazement and wishing that I could do magic, just like him. Mainly so I could multiply money to buy more sweets.
I’d asked at birthdays and Christmas’s if my mum would get me a Paul Daniels magic kit, but the answer was always the same;
No I Can’t afford it!
Now here I was faced with his book and I really wanted it. While my mates were busy nicking stuff from other stalls, I was mesmerised by this book.
It was 25p and I didn’t have enough, I only had 10p.
I asked the lady who was selling it, if she’d let me have it for my 10p but she refused.
So I asked my mate birdy (who was without a doubt the best thief in our little gang) if he’d nick it for me and I’d give him my 10p.
But the lady on the stall was onto us, she was wise to the ways of light-fingered kids!
So I opted to negotiate, I asked the lady “will this make me magic like him?”
“Yes of course” was her reply.
“What like for real?” I asked.
She explained that it taught everything needed to become a “real” magician.
From there my negotiation failed miserably, the lady could see how desperate I was for the book!
Knowing I didn’t have enough money to buy it, I asked her to keep it for me while I went home & asked my mum if I could have some more money. So I gave her my 10p, to hold the book for me and I proceeded home.
Hamilton hall was about a half hour walk from my house.
I remember it was raining and I ran all the way home and I begged my mum for some more money, she eventually gave it me, with the condition that I stay out of trouble for the rest of the holidays or there would major consequences.
I ran all the way back to Hamilton hall, paid the lady the rest of the money for the book.
I ran all the way back home again and straight to my room to learn magic.
And that is exactly how it all started for me!
I didn’t even know I still had this book, it was only recently that I found it in a cupboard inside a box. It’s now on a shelf with the rest of my “treasure”.
If it hadn’t been for this book I really don’t know what direction my life would’ve taken.
But I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t have been agood. One of the lads ended up doing life in prison, the others have all been in and out of jail and some have had to deal with drug issues too.
I’ve also had my fair share of troubles along the way, but I really do feel fortunate to have developed a love for magic.
I’ve met so many amazing people and some great friends through magic and even more through mentalism.
I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my beautiful wife Andi.
She always encourages me to keep going and has stuck by me through thick ‘n’ thin.
I’d also like to tip my hat to the late great Paul Daniels, how cool was he?
Thanks for sharing in my nostalgia.
I’d love to hear your stories of how you got started in magic/mentalism, either share it in the comments or write a little article and I’ll post it for you.
Asta La Vista Baby.
Ryan